What is burnout?

Answer each question with 2–3 sentences.

1. Do you ever feel exhausted by work or study?
2. What does your workload look like at the moment?
3. How do you relax after a hard day?
4. Do you take all your holidays?
5. Do you check work emails in your free time?
6. What helps you recover from stress?

Read each word and the example. Then say a sentence about stress.

Choose the word that fits.

1. After months of , she needed a long rest.
2. A heavy can lead to stress.
3. He became and stopped believing in his work.
4. Constant from the boss made everyone nervous.
5. It takes time to from serious stress.
6. Headaches can be a of stress.
7. Set clear between work and home life.
8. Stress that lasts a long time is called stress.

Choose the right answer, then press Check answers.

1. exhaustion =
   very great tirednessgreat happinessa lot of money
2. a workload is the amount of
   work you must domoney you earntime you sleep
3. cynical =
   very kindnot believing things are goodvery tired
4. a symptom is a
   kind of jobtype of medicinesign that something is wrong
5. chronic =
   very smalllasting a long timevery sudden
6. to withdraw = to
   work harderjoin a groupmove away from others

Use these phrases to talk about stress and workload.

• I'm completely exhausted.Я повністю виснажений.I'm completely exhausted after the week.
• I'm given too much work.Мені дають забагато роботи.I'm given too much work, and I can't cope.
• This has to be done by Friday.Це потрібно зробити до п'ятниці.This report has to be done by Friday.
• Something should be done about...Потрібно щось зробити з...Something should be done about the workload.
• I need to set boundaries.Мені потрібно встановити межі.I need to set boundaries with my boss.
• I've been advised to...Мені порадили...I've been advised to take a break.
• Help is available.Допомога доступна.Help is available if you ask for it.
• I'm trying to detach from work.Я намагаюся відсторонитися від роботи.I'm trying to detach from work in the evening.

Read the text. Hover over the dotted words for help.

1. The term was introduced in 1974.
   TrueFalse
2. The WHO describes burnout as a medical condition.
   TrueFalse
3. One holiday is enough to solve burnout.
   TrueFalse
4. Burnout is linked to chronic stress at work.
   TrueFalse
5. Experts say the workload should be reviewed.
   TrueFalse

1. Why do you think burnout is discussed so much today?
2. Who is most at risk of burnout?
3. What should be done by employers, and what should be done by employees?
4. How can you tell the difference between normal tiredness and burnout?

Common mistakes: be + past participle, and by only when the doer matters. ✗ The term was use in 1974 → was used. ✗ Stress can reduced → can be reduced.

1. The term
   was usedused
   in 1974.
2. Burnout
   is describeddescribes
   as an occupational phenomenon.
3. This problem
   has studiedhas been studied
   for decades.
4. Stress can
   be reducedreduced
   by regular breaks.
5. WasDid
   the report written last year?
6. Employees should
   givebe given
   more support.
7. Many people
   affectare affected
   by stress.
8. The workload
   is beenis being
   reviewed this week.

Each sentence has one mistake. Type the correct words.

1. The term was use in 1974. →
2. Burnout is describe as a phenomenon. →
3. The problem has studied for years. →
4. Stress can reduced by breaks. →
5. Did the report written last week? →
6. Workers should given more support. →

Answer in detail. Use the passive where it is natural.

1. Have you ever felt overloaded? What was done to help?
2. What is expected of you at work or at school?
3. How are people usually treated when they are very tired?
4. What should be done to prevent burnout?
5. How do you separate work from your free time?
6. What advice would you give to someone who feels exhausted?

Three people are under pressure. Compare their situations. Who is most at risk? Who is coping best? What should be done for each one?

Your teacher will time you.

1. Plan for one minute, then speak for one or two minutes.
2. Part 1: what is expected of you at work or study, and how you feel about it.
3. Part 2: what is done to help people with stress where you live or work.
4. Part 3: what should be changed to prevent burnout.

1. Do you ever feel exhausted by work or study?
2. What does your workload look like at the moment?
3. How do you relax after a hard day?
4. Do you take all your holidays?
5. Do you check emails in your free time?
6. How do you cope with pressure?
7. What helps you recover?
8. Do you set boundaries between work and home?

1. Who in your family works too hard?
2. Who always has time to relax?
3. Who has been given a lot of responsibility recently?
4. Who gives you support when you are stressed?
5. Who do you know that changed jobs because of stress?
6. Who needs a holiday?

1. Should companies be responsible for workers' mental health?
2. Is it right to answer work emails at night?
3. Should the working week be shorter?
4. Is burnout a personal or a company problem?
5. Do people work more than they used to?